System and method for evaluating and recommending planograms

ABSTRACT

A retail system for implementing planograms includes a communications network, a central computing system, and a plurality of retail computing systems. The central computing system is configured to receive and to transmit a plurality of planograms, each planogram being associated with one retail store of a plurality of retail stores and a plurality of products to be displayed for sale at the associated retail store. Each planogram includes data indicating threshold quantities of each product of the associated plurality of products. Each retail computing system is at a corresponding one of the plurality of retail stores and is configured to receive, via the communications network, planograms associated with the corresponding retail store and to receive inventory information indicating in-stock quantities of the plurality of products associated with each planogram. Each retail computing system is also configured to provide a readiness rating value for each planogram, the readiness rating value being based on a comparison of the threshold quantities and in-stock quantities of each product associated with the planogram and being indicative of whether the planogram is ready to be implemented.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As the retail industry continues to become more competitive, customersatisfaction is of paramount importance in establishing and maintainingcustomers. Customer satisfaction is generally based on a customer's“total shopping experience” at a retail store, which depends on avariety of factors such as a customer's perception of price, productavailability, customer service, friendliness of employees, cleanlinessof the store, and the presentation of products within the store. Thepresentation of products includes factors such as whether the productsare displayed in a pleasing fashion, whether the products are easy tolocate, whether the products are well stocked, and whether the productsare within easy reach.

Consequently, retailers expend great effort designing product displaysthat are visually pleasing and enable a customer to locate and selectdesired products for purchase. Such effort generally includes thedevelopment of what is commonly referred to as a “planogram.” Aplanogram is a layout, or “blueprint”, that assigns a specific displaylocation on a specific display fixture within a retail store to eachproduct to be displayed. For example, a planogram may assign eachproduct to a specific location on specific shelf or to a specific hookof a specific peg grouping of a particular display fixture within theretail store. Planograms typically provide other information associatedwith the products to be displayed, such as, for example, the quantitiesof each product and corresponding pricing information (e.g. labels).

Typically, centrally located employees, such as at a corporateheadquarters, for example, develop planograms for particular sets ofproducts for particular time frames. Because individual retail storesoften have different shelving and display configurations, uniqueplanograms are typically developed for each retail store. Planogramsgenerally have an effective date, subsequent to which the planogram isto be implemented as expeditiously as possible by retail storepersonnel, and are “active” for their particular time frame beginningwith the effective date. The active time frame may vary betweenplanograms. For example, one planogram may have an active time frame ofone week (e.g. a sale period) while another planogram may have an activetime frame of one year.

Once developed, planograms are typically printed on paper (“published”)and delivered to individual retail stores two to three weeks prior totheir effective date. Delivery of the planograms to each retail storecan often take two to three days. While delivering published planogramsto stores for subsequent implementation is generally effective,revisions are often made to planograms subsequent to their publicationdate but prior to their effective date. Due to the lag created by thedelivery process, it is sometimes difficult, if not impossible, forretail stores to implement the revised planogram on the associatedeffective date, as is preferred.

As a result, the retail store may choose to temporarily implement theoriginal planogram and then reconfigure or rework that implementationafter receipt of the revised planogram. Implementation of the revisedplanogram is delayed, and added labor costs are incurred resulting fromimplementing multiple planograms. In addition to the above-describeddelays and expenses, each retail store also incurs expenses related tothe cumbersome tasks of sorting, copying, filing, and maintainingrecords of the published planograms.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a retail system forimplementing planograms. The retail system includes a communicationsnetwork, a central computing system, and a plurality of retail computingsystems. The central computing system is configured to receive and totransmit a plurality of planograms, each planogram being associated withone retail store of a plurality of retail stores and a plurality ofproducts to be displayed for sale at the associated retail store. Eachplanogram includes data indicating threshold quantities of each productof the associated plurality of products, with the needed or desirednumber of facings. Each retail computing system is at a correspondingone of the plurality of retail stores and is configured to receive, viathe communications network, planograms associated with the correspondingretail store and to receive inventory information indicating in-stockquantities of the plurality of products associated with each planogram.Each retail computing system is also configured to provide a readinessrating value for each planogram, the readiness rating value being basedon a comparison of the threshold quantities and in-stock quantities ofeach product associated with the planogram and being indicative ofwhether the planogram is ready to be implemented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to thefigures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating generally an on-line planogramsystem in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example digital image illustrating aportion of planogram having a forward orientation.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of an example digital image illustrating theportion of the planogram of FIG. 2A having a reverse orientation.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of a graphical user interface for usewith one embodiment of an on-line planogram system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a graphical user interface for usewith one embodiment of an on-line planogram system according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process forimplementing planograms according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process forimplementing planograms according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating generally a retail system 10 inaccordance with the present invention that enables retail stores toaccess and implement planograms via an on-line format. Retail system 10includes a central computing system (CCS) 12, a communications network14, and one or more retail computing systems (RCS) 16, indicated as 16 athrough 16 n. In one embodiment, as illustrated, retail system 10 isemployed by a retail corporation with CCS 12 being located at a centralfacility, such as at a headquarters facility 18, and each RCS 16 beinglocated at a corresponding retail store 20, indicated as retail stores20 a through 20 n. CCS 12 and each RCS 16 may comprise one or more typesof computing systems such as, for example, servers, personal computers,workstations, laptops, or other systems capable of performing processesconsistent with the present invention. Communications network 14, asemployed herein, is preferably Internet-based and may include local areanetworks, wide area networks, and private networks (e.g. Intranets), butcan comprise any suitable network of communications links that supportscommunications between computers or other suitable electronic devices,as understood by those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, CCS 12 includes a central planogramapplication (CPA) 22 and a memory 24, wherein CPA 22 comprises anelectronically readable code installed and operating on CCS 12.Similarly, each RCS 16 includes a retail planogram application (RPA) 26and a memory 28, illustrated respectively as 26 a to 26 n and 28 a to 28n, wherein RPA 26 comprises electronically readable code installed andoperating on RCS 16.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, each retail store 20 includes aninventory management system (IMS) 30, indicated as 30 a through 30 n,configured to provide real-time tracking of in-stock quantities ofproducts available for sale within the associated retail store. Althoughillustrated as being separate from RCS 16, all or portions of IMS 30 maybe installed and operating on RCS 16. Each retail store 20 furtherincludes one or more user devices 32 and output devices 34 (e.g.printers), illustrated respectively as 32 a through 32 n and 34 athrough 34 n, which are in communication with RCS 16. User devices 32may comprise any type of electronic device suitable for communicationwith RCS 16, such as, for example, a personal computer, a laptopcomputer, or tablet style computing device. In one embodiment, userdevice 32 comprises a tablet 32 and output device comprises a printer34, each of which are in wireless communication with RCS 16. In oneembodiment, both tablet 32 and printer 34 are connected to RCS 16 via aradio frequency (RF) network, illustrated generally at 36 a through 36n. In one embodiment, as illustrated, both user device 32 and outputdevice 34 are located on a cart or other mobile platform 38 that enablesuser device 32 and output device 34 to be positioned on a sales floor ofthe associated retail store 20 while maintaining RF communications withRCS 16.

CPA 22 is configured to receive, such as via one or more user devices 39(illustrated as 39 a through 39 d) in communication with CCS 12, aplurality of planograms 40 developed by headquarters facility or otherpersonnel. The plurality of planograms 40 may comprise originalplanograms being initially received by CPA 22 and revised planogramsupdating planograms previously received by CPA 22. Each planogram of theplurality of planograms 40 is associated with one retail store of theplurality of retail stores 20, such as retail store 20 a, for example,and each is associated with a plurality of products to be displayed forsale at the associated retail store.

As generally known to those skilled in the art, retail stores typicallydisplay products for sale via a variety of display fixtures (e.g. standshaving vertically arranged shelves, pegboards having groupings ofdisplay hooks, display cases, bins, etc.) which are positioned alongaisles and other customer circulation areas on the sales floor of theretail store. Each planogram corresponds to a selected portion of suchdisplay fixtures and assigns to each product of the associated pluralityof products a unique location on a shelf, display hooks, or otherdisplay means associated with the selected portion of display fixtures.In other words, each planogram provides a specific arrangement for theassociated plurality of products to be displayed via the selectedportion of display fixtures.

In one embodiment, each of the planograms 30 includes data indicatingthreshold quantities of each product of the plurality of productsassociated with the planogram. In one embodiment, the threshold quantityrepresents the minimum quantity of units of a particular productrequired to “face” the display. The term “facing”, as generally known tothose skilled in the art, refers to the number of products facing aconsumer in the forward most position of a display fixture. Thus, forexample, if a particular product is displayed in four adjacent rows on ashelf with the product stacked two-high in each row, a minimum of eightunits of the product is required to face the display.

In one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured to receive pricing information42 comprising current retail prices of products associated withplanograms 40. In one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured to receive labelinformation 44 associated with planograms 40 including information suchas, for example, a description of each of the products, stock keepingunits (SKUs) for each product, and information related to each product'sposition on a particular display fixture within the corresponding retailstore. In one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured to receive signageinformation 46 associated with planograms 40 including informationrelated to one or more signs which are to be affixed to appropriatedisplay fixtures associated with planograms 40. Similar to planograms40, pricing information 42, label information 44, and signageinformation 46 include original information being initially received byCPA 22 and revised information updating information previously receivedby CPA 22.

In one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured to store planograms 40, pricinginformation 42, label information 44, and signage information 46 inmemory 24. Alternatively, in one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured tostore planograms 40, pricing information 42, label information 44, andsignage information 46 in memory 48 coupled to communications network14, but remote from headquarters facility 18. Memory 48 may comprise amagnetic, semiconductor, and/or optical type storage device.

In one embodiment, CPA 22 is configured to transmit each of theplanograms to its associated retail store 20 via communications network14. In one embodiment, in addition to planograms 40, CPA 22 is furtherconfigured to transmit pricing information 42, label information 44, andsignage information 46 associated with each planogram.

Each RPA 26 is configured to receive planograms 40 and relatedinformation (e.g. pricing information 42, label information 44, andsignage information 46) associated with the corresponding retail store20, which are transmitted by CCS 12 via communications link 14. In oneembodiment, RCS 26 is configured to store the received planograms 40,pricing information 42, label information 44, and signage information 46in memory 28.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, in lieu of CPA 22 transmittingplanograms 40 and other information to its associated retail store 20,each RPA 26 is configured to access associated planograms 40 and relatedinformation from one or more memory locations, such as memory 24 and/ormemory 48, via communications link 14. In such an embodiment, long-termstorage of such data at each retail store 20, such as at memory 28 ofRCS 16, is eliminated.

As described above, each planogram is active for a particular time frame(e.g. a sale period, holiday, promotion, etc.) beginning with anassociated effective date, during which timeframe the associatedplurality of products are to be arranged in accordance with theplanogram. On the effective date of each planogram, or as soon aspossible thereafter, retail store personnel lay-out and arrange theassociated plurality of products on the appropriate display fixtures inaccordance with the planogram. Such a process is referred to as“setting” the planogram. However, it is generally desirable to set aplanogram only if the retail store has enough of the associatedplurality of products in stock to provide the planogram with a completeor finished appearance. Setting a planogram with too few products mayresult in the display units having one or more empty spaces and theplanogram having an empty and undesirable appearance.

In one embodiment, RPA 26 is further configured to receive from the IMS30 of the associated retail store inventory information indicatingin-stock quantities of the plurality of products associated with eachplanogram. In one embodiment, each RPA 26 is configured to provide a“readiness” rating for each planogram, wherein the readiness rating isindicative of whether the planogram is ready to be implemented and isbased on a comparison of the threshold quantities and in-stockquantities of the plurality of products associated with the planogram.

In one embodiment, the readiness rating of a planogram comprises thepercentage of the sum total of the threshold quantities of each productof the plurality of products associated with the planogram that areindicated as being in-stock based on the inventory information receivedfrom IMS 30 of the associated retail store. For example, assume that anexample planogram includes four products which are to be displayed, thefirst product having a threshold value of forty (i.e. forty units of theproduct required to “face” the display), the second product a thresholdvalue of thirty, the third a threshold value of twenty, and the fourthproduct a threshold value of ten. As such, the planogram has a totalthreshold value of one hundred. Now assume that the inventoryinformation indicates that there are thirty-five in-stock units of thefirst product, twenty-five in-stock units of the second product, twentyin-stock units of the third product, and ten in-stock units of thefourth product. As such, the associated retail store has a total ofninety in-stock units of products associated with the planogram.Dividing the total in-stock units by the total threshold value yields areadiness rating of ninety percent for the example planogram.

In one embodiment, RPA 26 is further configured to provide animplementation recommendation for each planogram based on the readinessrating. In one embodiment, a readiness rating of eighty percent or abovehas a “high” implantation recommendation indicating that the planogramshould be set, a readiness rating between fifty and eighty percent hasan “intermediate” implementation recommendation indicating that it isacceptable to set the planogram, and a readiness rating less than fiftypercent has a “low” implementation recommendation indicating thatplanogram should not be set.

To determine if and when any planograms are to be implemented within theassociated retail store, a retail store employee accesses RPA 26 viauser device 32. In one embodiment, a graphical user interface (GUT)associated with user device 32 enables the retail store employee toselect and view planograms associated with the retail store includingtheir corresponding effective dates, readiness ratings, andimplementation recommendations. An example of such a GUI is illustratedand described below by FIG. 3. Based the corresponding effective dates,readiness ratings, and implementation recommendations, the retail storeemployee can determine which and in what order various planograms shouldbe implemented or set.

For example, based on a first planogram having a “low” implementationrecommendation, the retail store employee may choose to delayimplementation of a first planogram until the associated products arein-stock, even though the current date is beyond the first planogram'seffective date. Instead, the employee may opt to implement a secondplanogram having a “high” implementation recommendation, even though thesecond planogram's effective date is later in time than the effectivedate of the first planogram. Using this approach, a retail store 20 canchoose to first implement those planograms which will present a morecomplete and desirable appearance before those planograms which may havean “under-stocked” and incomplete appearance, in hopes that necessarystocks of products will become available in the interim.

By employing an on-line planogram system 10 in accordance with thepresent invention, retail stores can more effectively utilize limitedemployee resources by selectively implementing those planograms havingassociated products which are currently in-stock prior to thoseplanograms having associated products not presently available.Additionally, because planograms and associated information (e.g.pricing, labeling, and signage) and any subsequent revisions arereceived by retail system 10 and transmitted to the appropriate retailstores in real time, drawbacks associated with delivery of publishedplanograms to retail stores are greatly reduced and/or eliminated.Furthermore, costs associated with maintaining records associated withpublished planograms are eliminated, as planograms are now available andmaintained in on-line format.

In one embodiment, each of the plurality of planograms 40 includes adigital image illustrating a respective position of each productassociated with the planogram on the selected portions of one or moredisplay fixtures on which the planogram is to be implemented. In oneembodiment, photographic pictures of actual product may be displayed inthe respective positions on the one or more display fixtures. Planogramsare typically provided by headquarters facility personal with a“forward” orientation, with the left end of the planogram correspondingto one end of the selected portion of display fixture(s) and the rightend of the planogram corresponding to the opposite end of the selectedportion of display fixture(s).

Thus, for a planogram with a forward orientation, an Item A is assignedto left end and an Item B is assigned to the right end of the planogram,such that Item A is the first item and Item B is the last item acustomer sees when the customer is looking to his/her left when walkingfrom the first end to the second end of the selected portion of thedisplay fixture(s). However, if the configuration of a particular retailstore is such that the planogram is to the right of the customer as thecustomer walks from the first end to the second end of the selectedportion of display fixture(s), Item A must be assigned to the right endand Item B to the left end of the selected portion of displayfixture(s). When required, converting a planogram from a forwardorientation to a “reverse” orientation can be a cumbersome and timeconsuming task for retail store employees and is subject to mistakeswhich can result in improper setting of the planogram.

In one embodiment, each RPA 26 is configured to convert the digitalimages of planograms associated with the corresponding retail store 20from a forward orientation to a reverse orientation. In one embodiment,RPA 26 enables a retail store employee, via user device 32, toselectively choose which planograms to convert from the forward to thereverse orientation. In one embodiment, RPA 26 enables the retail storeemployee to view the digital image in either the forward and/or thereverse orientation via a display associated with user device 32. In oneembodiment, RPA 26 enables the retail store employee to print thedigital image in either the forward and/or the reverse orientation viaprinter 34. As such, when necessary, retail system 10 enables a retailstore employee to automatically reverse the orientation of the digitalimage and to immediately view the reversed image, thereby reducing thechance for errors and the time required for implementation when retailstore employees set planograms having a reverse orientation.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example digital image 60 illustrating aportion of planogram having a forward orientation. A display fixture 62having a plurality of vertically configured shelves represents a portionof multiple display fixtures employed by the planogram. As illustrated,a first product 64 is located on the left end and a second product 66 islocated on the right end of display fixture 62 when a customer looks tohis/her left when walking past display fixture 62 in a direction from afirst end 67 to a second end 69.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example digital image 70 comprising the digitalimage 60 of FIG. 2A after being converted by RPA 26 to have a reverseorientation. As illustrated, first product 64 is now located on theright end and second product 66 on the left end of display fixture 62when a customer looks to his/her right when walking past display fixture62 in the direction from first end 67 to second end 69.

In one embodiment, RPA 26 is configured to provide labels associatedwith each product of planograms associated with the corresponding retailstore 20 based on price information 42 and label information 44. Asdescribed above, the labels includes information such as, for example, aproduct description (e.g. brand name, unit size, etc.), the product SKU(“stock keeping unit”), and the product UPC (“uniform product code”). Inone embodiment, when “setting” a planogram, a user (e.g. a retail storeemployee) is able to select labels corresponding to the planogram viauser device 32 (see FIG. 4 below) and print the selected labels viaprinter 34. The printed labels are then affixed to the display fixturesat the corresponding product location. Because pricing information 42and label information 44 is received by CPA 22 and provided to each RPA26 in real-time, the most current pricing information 42 and labelinformation 44 is available to each retail store location 20.

In one embodiment, headquarters facility personnel print and deliverlabels for each planogram to the corresponding retail stores 20 prior tothe effective dates of the planograms. The pre-printed and deliveredlabels are referred to as “label strips.” If pricing information 42and/or label information 44 corresponding to a given planogram isrevised in the interim period between delivery of the pre-printed labelsand the effective date of the planogram, RPA 26 is configured to providenotification via user device 32 (see FIG. 4 below) to a retail storeemployee that at least some of the labels for the planogram will need tobe re-printed at the retail store to replace the delivered labels thatare no longer valid. The labels that are to be re-printed locally atretail store 20 via printer 34 are referred to as “price accuracy”labels. When re-printing labels, the user can selectively print onlythose labels that have been revised or can choose to re-print all labelsassociated with the planogram.

In one embodiment, in a fashion similar to that described above withrespect to labels, RPA 26 is configured to provide signs associated witheach planogram associated with corresponding retail store 20 based onsignage information 46. There are several categories of signs which maycorrespond to each planogram such as, for example, informational signs(e.g., descriptions of products and/or types of products) ad signs (e.g.product sale prices), and special event signs (e.g. “temporary pricecut” signs). In one embodiment, when “setting” a planogram, a user (e.g.a retail store employee) is able to select signs corresponding to theplanogram via user device 32 (see FIG. 4 below) and print the selectedsigns via printer 34. The printed labels are then affixed to the displayfixtures at the proper locations. Because signage information 46 isreceived by CPA 22 and provided to each RPA 26 in real-time, the mostcurrent signage information 46 is available to each retail storelocation 20.

In one embodiment, headquarters facility personnel print and deliversigns for each planogram to the corresponding retail stores 20 prior tothe effective dates of the planograms. If signage information 46corresponding to a given planogram is revised in the interim periodbetween delivery of the pre-printed signs and the effective date of theplanogram, RPA 26 is configured to provide notification via user device32 (see FIG. 4 below) to a retail store employee that at least some ofthe signs for the planogram will need to be re-printed at the retailstore to replace the delivered labels that are no longer valid. Whenre-printing signs, the user can selectively print only those signs thathave been revised or can choose to re-print all signs associated withthe planogram.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of a GUI 80 (i.e. application screen)which is displayed via user device 32 and enables a user (e.g. a retailstore employee) to select and view planograms associated with the retailstore. GUI 80 includes a planogram selection menu 82 that enables theuser to select various parameters associated with the planograms such asan effective date 84, a retail store department 86 (e.g. sporting goods,toys, electronics, personal care, etc.), and a planogram (POG) number88. After selecting the desired parameters, the user selects an “UpdateList” icon 90 and all planograms matching the selected parameters arelisted in a planogram display area 92.

Display area 92 lists the matching planograms in a columnar fashion anddisplays a plurality of parameters associated with each planogram, suchas the planogram (POG) number 94 (each planogram is assigned a uniquePOG number), whether the planogram has been revised 96 (such as with a“checkmark” as illustrated), the effective date 98, the correspondingretail store department 100, the planogram name 102, the length of theplanogram (e.g. length, in feet, of display fixtures employed) 104, thereadiness rating 106, the label type employed 108 (the term “LabelStrip” indicating that pre-printed labels have been provided for theplanogram, and the term “Store Print” indicating that labels must beprinted at the corresponding retail store), and the planogramorientation 110 (“S” indicating standard or forward orientation and “R”indicating reverse orientation). In one embodiment, as illustrated,planogram orientation 110 comprises an icon that enables a user toselect the planogram orientation and, thus the orientation of theassociated digital image, wherein selecting the icon toggles theorientation back and forth between the standard orientation (forward)and reverse orientation.

In one embodiment, the implementation recommendation for each planogramis indicated by highlighting the readiness rating 106 with a coloraccording to a color coding system. As illustrated, the color codedimplementation recommendation is illustrated by the shaded rectangle 112surrounding the readiness rating 106. In one embodiment, readinessratings having a “high” implementation recommendation are highlightedwith green, reading ratings having an “intermediate” implementationrating are highlighted with yellow, and readiness ratings having a “low”implementation rating are highlighted with red.

In one embodiment, as illustrated, the matching planograms are listednumerically based on the POG number 94. A user can scroll through thelist of matching planograms using the arrow icons 114. As the userscrolls though the list, one or more planograms can be selected for moredetailed review by highlighting the corresponding request review icon116. After selecting desired planograms for further review, such as POGnumber “4088008”, as indicated at 118, the user selects a review icon120. The user is then able to review selected planograms in more detailvia another GUI, such as that illustrated below by FIG. 4.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative example of a GUI 130 (i.e. application screen)which is displayed via user device 32 and enables a user (e.g. a retailstore employee) to select and view information associated withplanograms selected via GUI 80 as described above. GUI 130 includes aplanogram list area 132 which lists the selected planograms, such asplanogram 118 (i.e. POG number “4088008”) as indicated on FIG. 3, a “POGDetail” menu 134 and a “Labels & Signs” menu 136.

Via a pull-down menu 136, a user can select to view informationassociated with particular sections of a planogram (e.g., a particularsection of a display fixture). By selecting “Image” icon 140, the useris able to view and/or print the digital image (see FIGS. 2A and 2B) ofthe selected planogram section. Via “Schematic” icon 142, a user canview and/or print a schematic diagram of the selected planogram section,the schematic diagram comprising a general illustration of thecorresponding display fixture. Via “Blue Print” icon 144, a user canview and/or print a blue print of the selected planogram section, theblue print illustrating precise locations for all display meansassociated with the display fixture such as, for example, shelves anddisplay hooks. Via “Line Listing” icon 146, a user can view and/or printa line listing associated with the selected planogram section, the linelisting comprising information for each product associated with theselected planogram section such as, for example, product descriptions,product quantities, product SKU numbers (“stock keeping unit”), andproduct UPC codes (“uniform product code”).

“Print Labels” icon 148 enables a user to print “header” labels and “POGLabels” respectively selected via “selection” icons 150 and 152. Aheader label is a label affixed to one of the one or more displayfixtures associated with the planogram and includes planograminformation such as, for example, the planogram number and the length ofthe planogram. The “POG Labels” are, as described above, labelsassociated with each product of the planogram and which are affixed tothe display fixtures at the corresponding product position. In oneembodiment, a user can choose to print all POG labels associated with aplanogram or to print only selected POG labels associated with theplanogram.

As described above, when pre-printed labels are provided by headquartersfacility personnel and there have been price changes to one or more ofthe pre-printed labels, due to a price modification, for example, RPA 26is configured to provide notification to a user that one or more of thelabels for the planogram will need to be re-printed to replace thedelivered labels that are invalid. When such a price modificationoccurs, RPA 26 automatically notifies the user that replacement or“price accuracy” labels must be locally printed by placing a “checkmark”or other indicating symbol at “selection” icon 154. The user can thenprint the revised labels by selecting “print labels” icon 148.

“Print Signs” icon 156 enables a user to print signs associated with theplanogram that have been selected via “selection” icon 158. In oneembodiment, a user can choose to print all signs associated with theplanogram or to print only selected signs associated with the planogram.In a fashion similar to that described above with respect to “priceaccuracy labels”, RPA 26 automatically notifies the user that areplacement header label and replacement signs must be locally printedby placing a “checkmark” or other indicating symbol at “selection” icons150 and 158.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process 170 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention for implementingplanograms. Process 170 begins at 172 with the receipt of a plurality ofplanograms, wherein each planogram of the plurality of planograms isassociated with one retail store of a plurality of retail stores. Eachplanogram is associated with a plurality of products to be displayed forsale at the associated retail store and includes data indicatingthreshold quantities of each product of the associated plurality ofproducts. The threshold quantity represents the minimum quantity ofunits of the product required to “face” the planogram, as describedabove with respect to FIG. 1. At 174, the plurality of planograms isstored at a memory location, such as at memory 24 and memory 48 asillustrated by FIG. 1.

At 176, each planogram of the plurality of planograms is transmitted toits associated retail store. At 178, inventory information is receivedat each retail store, the retail information indicating in-stockquantities of each product of the plurality of products associated witheach planogram associated with the retail store.

Process 170 then proceeds to 180 where, at each retail store, areadiness rating value is determined for each associated planogram, thereadiness rating value being indicative of whether the planogram isready to be implemented. In one embodiment, the readiness rating of eachplanogram comprises the percentage of the sum total of the thresholdquantities of each product associated with the planogram that arein-stock, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

Process 170 then proceeds to 182 where, at each retail store, animplementation recommendation is provided for each associated planogram,wherein the implementation recommendation is based on the readinessrating for each planogram, as described above with respect to FIG. 1. At184, retail store employees evaluate implementation of each planogrambased on the corresponding readiness. For example, retail storeemployees may delay implementation of a planogram or choose to implementone planogram before another, as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a process 200 inaccordance with the present invention for implementing planograms.Process 200 begins at 202 with receipt of a plurality of planograms,wherein each planogram of the plurality of planograms is associated withone retail store of a plurality of retail stores. Each planogram isassociated with a plurality of products to be displayed for sale on oneor more display fixtures within the associated store and includes afirst digital image illustrating a respective position of each producton the one or more displays according to a first planogram orientation.

At 204, the plurality of planograms is stored at a memory location, suchas at memory 24 and memory 48 as illustrated by FIG. 1. At 206, eachplanogram of the plurality of planograms is transmitted to itsassociated retail store.

Process 200 then proceeds to 208 where, at each retail store, a seconddigital image is provided for selected planograms by automaticallyreversing the corresponding first digital image so that the seconddigital image illustrates respective positions of each product on theone or more display fixtures according to a second planogram orientationwhich is the reverse of the first planogram orientation. In oneembodiment, the first planogram orientation is a “forward” orientation,and the second planogram orientation is a “reverse” orientation, asdescribed with respect to FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

Components of the present invention can be implemented in hardware via amicroprocessor, programmable logic, or state machine, in firmware, or insoftware with a given device. In one aspect, at least a portion of thesoftware programming is web-based and written in HTML and JAVAprogramming languages, including links to user interfaces, such as aWindows based operating system, and each of the main components maycommunicate via a network using a communication protocol. For example,the present invention may or may not use a TCP/IP protocol for datatransport. Other programming languages and communication protocolssuitable for use with the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after reading the present application.Components of the present invention may also reside in software on oneor more computer-readable mediums, which is defined herein to includeany kind of memory, volatile or non-volatile, such as floppy disks, harddrives, read-only memory (ROM), CD-ROMs, flash memory, and random accessmemory (RAM).

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments, such embodiments are for illustrative purposes only andshould not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternativesand changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

1-11. (canceled)
 12. An on-line planogram system comprising: a centralplanogram module adapted to receive and store a plurality of planograms,each planogram being associated with one retail store of a plurality ofretail stores and each being associated with a plurality of products tobe displayed on one or more display fixtures within the associated oneretail store, and each planogram including a first digital imageillustrating a respective position of each product on the one or moredisplay fixtures according to a planogram orientation; and a pluralityof retail planogram modules, each at a corresponding one of theplurality of retail stores, each retail planogram module adapted toobtain ones of the planograms associated with the corresponding one ofthe plurality of retail stores, and each retail planogram module alsobeing configured to provide a second digital image for each planogram,each second digital image being based on the first digital image andillustrating a respective position of each product on the one or moredisplay fixtures according to a display fixture orientation which is thereverse of the planogram orientation, wherein each retail planogrammodule is adapted to receive a designation from a retail store employeeat the corresponding one of the retail stores, the designationindicating whether the planogram orientation or the display fixtureorientation is appropriate for the planogram given positioning of theone or more display fixtures within the corresponding one of the retailstores.
 13. The on-line planogram system of claim 12, wherein the retailstores are associated with a retail corporation, and wherein the centralplanogram module is at a headquarters facility of the retailcorporation.
 14. The on-line planogram system of claim 12, wherein thecentral planogram module is coupled to each retail planogram module viaa communications link.
 15. The on-line planogram system of claim 12,further comprising at least one interface at each retail store, eachinterface adapted to enable a user to selectively view planograms,including the first and second digital images, associated with thecorresponding retail store.
 16. The on-line planogram system of claim12, wherein the central planogram module and retail planogram modulescomprise electronically readable code.
 17. The on-line planogram systemof claim 12, wherein the central planogram module stores the planogramsat a memory location remote from the retail stores.
 18. The on-lineplanogram system of claim 12, wherein each retail planogram module isadapted to store obtained planograms at a memory location local to thecorresponding retail store. 19-26. (canceled)
 27. The on-line planogramsystem of claim 12, further comprising: a user device in wirelesscommunication with one of the retail planogram modules, wherein the userdevice is mobile relative to the one of the retail planogram modules andis configured to receive the second digital image from the one of theretail planogram modules and to output the second digital image to theretail store employee at a sales floor location away from the associatedone of the plurality of retail planogram modules.
 28. The on-lineplanogram system of claim 12, wherein the planogram orientationindicates that a first product is located on a left end of the one ormore display fixtures when the retail store employee walks past the oneor more display fixtures in the corresponding one of the retail stores,and the display fixture orientation indicates that the first product islocated on a right end of the one or more display fixtures when theretail store employee walks past the one or more display fixtures in thecorresponding one of the retail stores.
 29. The on-line planogram systemof claim 12, wherein the central planogram module is configured totransmit pricing and label information associated with eachcorresponding planogram to the retail planogram module of the one retailstore, each retail planogram module is configured to provide labelsincluding the pricing and based on the label information for eachproduct in the corresponding planogram, and each label is configured tobe affixed to the one or more display fixtures in the one retail storewhere the corresponding planogram is implemented, and the labels areprovided prior to implementing the corresponding planogram.
 30. Theon-line planogram system of claim 29, wherein each retail planogrammodule is adapted to provide a notification of changes to the pricingfor previously provided labels and to provide updated labels prior toimplementation of the corresponding planogram, and the updated labelsinclude new price information based on the changes to the pricing. 31.The on-line planogram system of claim 30, wherein the updated labels areprovided by a printer in communication with the retail planogram moduleand located at the one retail store.
 32. A method of implementingplanograms, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of planogramsat a central computing system, each planogram being associated with oneor more retail stores of a plurality of retail stores and beingassociated with a plurality of products to be displayed on one or moredisplay fixtures within the associated retail store(s), and eachplanogram including a first digital image illustrating a respectiveposition of each product on the one or more display fixtures accordingto a first planogram orientation; providing to each retail store theplanogram(s) associated with the retail store from the central computingsystem, wherein each retail store is provided with the planogram(s)associated with the retail store via a retail computing system, theretail computing system being remotely located from the centralcomputing system and in communication with the central computing systemvia a communications network; and providing at each retail store via theretail computing system a second digital image for selected ones of theplanograms by automatically reversing the first digital image of theselected ones of the planograms such that the second digital imageillustrates respective positions of each product on the one or moredisplay fixtures according to a second planogram orientation which isthe reverse of the first planogram orientation.
 33. The method of claim32, further comprising: providing, at each retail store, product labelsfor placement on the one or more display fixtures in accordance with theplanogram(s) associated with the retail store, the product labelsincluding a price of each product referred to by the planogram(s)associated with the retail store.
 34. The method of claim 33, furthercomprising: providing, at each retail store, a notification of changesin the price of one or more products as included on the product labels,the notification being provided prior to implementation of theplanogram(s) associated with the retail store.
 35. The method of claim32, further comprising: providing, at each retail store, product labelsfor including with the planogram(s) associated with the retail store;and printing at each retail store at least one updated label to replaceat least one of the product labels following a change in a product pricethat occurs after providing the product labels and prior to implementingthe planogram(s) associated with the retail store.
 36. A retail spaceplanning system comprising: means for centrally defining a plurality ofplanograms, each planogram being associated with one or more retailstores and depicting a plurality of products and the desired location ofeach product within a retail display; means for providing at least oneof the planograms associated with a particular retail store of the oneor more retail stores to the particular retail store, wherein each ofthe one or more retail stores is remotely located with respect to themeans for centrally defining; and means for automatically providing arepresentation of each planogram in either one of a standard orientationand a reverse orientation upon designation of an orientation of theretail display within the particular retail store, the designation beingmade by a user at the particular retail store.
 37. The retail spaceplanning system of claim 36, further comprising: means for providingoriginal labels for the retail display within the particular retailstore corresponding with the at least one of the planograms, the labelsincluding prices for the products depicted by the at least one of theplanograms; and means for prompting the user to print updated labelswhen a price of the products has changed since the original labels weregenerated, wherein the means for prompting the user to print updatedlabels is configured to prompt the user to print updated labels beforethe at least one of the planograms is implemented in the retail store.38. The retail space planning system of claim 37, further comprising:means for printing the updated labels at the direction of the userfollowing any prompting to print updated labels being communicated tothe employee by the means for prompting.
 39. The retail space planningsystem of claim 36, further comprising: means for indicating to theparticular retail store that one or more of the planograms has beenrevised since the one or more of the planograms was first provided tothe retail store.